"If I look at him too long, I shall eat him," said the cook-maid.
"He is a darling," said the upper housemaid.
Betsy aforesaid often opened a window to have a sly look at him, and
on one of these occasions she inspected him from an upper story at her
leisure. His manner drew her attention. She saw him mount Lucy, and
eye her departing form sadly and wistfully. Betsy glowered and
glowered, and hit the nail on the head, as people will do who are so
absurd as to look with their own eyes, and draw their own conclusions
instead of other people's. After this she took an opportunity, and
said to Tom, with a satirical air, "How are you off for nags, your
way?"
"Oh, we have got enough for our corn," replied Tom, on the defensive.
"It seems you can't find one for the captain among you."
"Will you give a kiss if I make you out a liar?"
"Sooner than break my arm. Come, you might, Tom. Now is it reasonable,
him never to get a ride with her, and that useless lot prancing about
with her all day long?"
"Why don't you ride with 'em, capting?"
"I have no horse."
"I have got a horse for you, sir--master's."
"That would be taking a liberty."
"Liberty, sir! no; master would be so pleased if you would but ride
him. He told me so."
"Then saddle him, pray."
"I have a-saddled him. You had better come in the stable-yard,
capting; then you can mount and follow; you will catch them before
they reach the Downs." In another minute David was mounted.
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